NHTSA
Defect investigations
NHTSA opens defect investigations when complaint patterns suggest a possible safety risk. Browse all 4,173 investigations, including 93 currently open.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency Office of Defects Investigation has opened 4,161 formal defect investigations into U.S. vehicles as of June 2026. Each investigation can precede a recall; see our methodology for how these federal case files are tracked.
SEAT TRACK LOCK
BRAKES LOCK
STEER AXLE HUB FAILURE
BRAKE FAILURE
Ford Ford
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Honda Honda
STALLING
BRAKING
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
SEAT TRACK/BELT FAILURE
T-SHIELD BREAKAGE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE
Toyota Toyota
LOCKING MECHANISM
DEFECTIVE CASTLE NUT
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
CO INTRUSION
AIR BRAKE VALVE LEAKS
REAR BRAKE FAILURE
FUEL SPURTING/FIRES
Ford Ford
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS
BRAKE FAILURE/FIREWALL
FRAME AND CHASSIS COMPONENTS
AXLE FAILURE
FIRES
Maserati Maserati
LINING SEPARATION
CRUISE CONTROL
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION
INADEQUATE REAR BRAKES
REAR AXLE OVERLOAD
Chevrolet Chevrolet
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
HANDLING DIFFICULTIES
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
SEAT TRACK LOCK
FIRES
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
Toyota Toyota
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SEATBACK FAILURE
Ford Ford
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
OVERLOAD
Chevrolet Chevrolet
UNDERHOOD FIRES
UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION
INCORRECT TIRES
GM FLEXIBLE BLADE COOLING FANS
GM AFTERMARKET BRAKE LININGS
ALLEGED FIRES
Understanding NHTSA Investigations
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
Initial assessment of a potential safety defect, typically opened after receiving multiple consumer complaints about similar issues.
Engineering Analysis (EA)
In-depth technical evaluation that may include testing, data collection from manufacturers, and detailed defect analysis.
Recall Query (RQ)
Evaluation of the effectiveness of a previously issued recall remedy, often triggered when complaints persist after a recall.
Investigation Outcomes
Investigations may result in a voluntary recall by the manufacturer, a mandatory recall order, or closure if no defect is found.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.